getting the message across

[adelaidesean]

There's an email going around from Dymocks to subscribers to its Booklovers program. It's calling for people to sign a petition encouraging the Productivity Commission to lift restrictions on book imports into Australia. If you think (like me) that this will cripple the Australian book industry and marginalise Australian writers even further than they already are, and if you're discomfited (like me) by the thought of protests occurring outside Dymocks stores (holding innocent staff accountable for decisions made much higher up the chain), can I suggest you unsubscribe from Booklovers program instead (if you're a member) and perhaps send an email explaining why? If subscribers drop by a significant amount, the bosses will recognise the loss of goodwill for what it is (a potential loss of sales) and may feel the pinch more directly.

Spread the meme. This is important.

(If you don't know what on Earth I'm talking about, have a gander at the Australian Society of Authors site. It'll fill you in.)

ETA: the email to direct your protest regarding the mailout is members (at) dymocks.com.au.

ETA: sign a counter-petition at Australian for Australian Books!

ETA: see the comments for some points to raise if anyone asks what exactly we're complaining about.

ETA: or, even better, let Garth Nix and Justine Larbalestier explain it far better than I ever could.